Column
Of course, all great players can miss a match, a shot. But Ziyech’s miss is not so trivial; it’s a sign that something is wrong.
Hakim Ziyech has created a buzz once again — this time, perhaps not by choice, and this buzz has already traveled the globe. In a Turkish Super Lig match, the Galatasaray player, left alone in front of an empty goal, somehow managed to send his ball soaring into the air without finding the net. It was a remarkably improbable miss, which will undoubtedly land among the year’s most infamous blunders.
Certainly, all top players can have an off day. But Ziyech’s miss indicates something deeper. This is clearly a player who is overthinking, brooding, not in a good place mentally.
At Galatasaray, currently leading their league, the player has not really been ‘there’ for some time. Struggling on the pitch, he has yet to score this season, has had a falling out with his coach, and has often been injured or out of form. Rumors are swirling about a potential move away from Turkey, possibly to the Gulf.
This is the player that the national coach decided not to call up for the latest gathering of the Lions of the Atlas. A wise decision. When a player is struggling in club life, international matches can either rejuvenate them or exacerbate their issues. It’s a double-edged sword. In the past, Ziyech has often managed to bounce back on the national stage even while having a tough time at the club level.
This time, the situation has changed. Regragui has not sanctioned the player; rather, he has chosen to give him a breather. Most importantly, the national coach has sufficient offensive weapons at his disposal to rest the leading scorer for the Lions of the Atlas (25 goals in 64 caps).
For those who had doubts, the matches against Gabon and Lesotho provided clarity. Without Ziyech, Ben Seghir and Diaz appeared liberated. Since the arrival of these two gems, Regragui has struggled to find the right formula to create the essential chemistry with Ziyech and play all three offensive talents together. It’s a tactical challenge, with a potential technical incompatibility.
A choice must be made, and while failing to make a definitive decision, Regragui seems to be progressing in his thoughts. After all, Diaz too is not getting enough playing time at his club, where his contribution seems minimal. Yet, he was called up for the last gathering of the Lions…
For the national team, Ziyech has not scored from open play since the last AFCON. A tournament in which neither Diaz nor Ben Seghir participated. And since that AFCON, if Ziyech has scored again, it has only been from the penalty spot.
The combination of all these elements suggests that Ziyech’s role in the national team may increasingly diminish. This is not dramatic, but it remains to be seen if the fiery Hakim would easily accept a possible change in status, considering he clashed with former coaches over less…
At this point, we are not at that juncture. Ziyech must first regain his form, his football, and most importantly, his mental state, which appears to be faltering. This is all we wish for this divisive yet endearing figure.
Related News :